Shah was born in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, India, where his father was an Army officer. Shah's family hails from Sardhana in District Meerut (Uttar Pradesh). Naseeruddin Shah did his schooling at St. Anselm's Ajmer and St Joseph's College, Nainital. He graduated in arts from Aligarh Muslim University in 1971 and attended National School of Drama in Delhi.He has been successful in mainstream Captain Nemo in the Hollywood comic book adaptation ''The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen''.His elder brother is Lt. General Zameerud-din Shah PVSM, SM, VSM, recently appointed as the Vice-Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University.His nephew (cousin's son) Salim Shah is also a TV and film actor.